Our Favorite Kentucky Derby Cocktails

A Kentucky Derby celebration is nothing without the mint julep. This iconic cocktail pulls out all the stops: fresh mint, sugar and delicious Kentucky bourbon. Yeehaw!

Click here to see the Mint Julep recipe.

Bulleit

Blackberry Mint Julep

If you don't like to stray far from classics but crave a slight change, go for a blackberry mint julep. This recipe features bourbon, fresh lime, raspberry liqueur and fresh fruits.

Click here to see the Blackberry Mint Julep recipe.

Courtesy of Bay Kitchen Bar

The Finlandia Oaks Lily

It's not bourbon, but it is the official vodka drink of the Kentucky Derby this year. A step up from your traditional vodka cran, the pretty Finlandia Oaks Lily also uses triple sec, sweet and sour mix, and a blackberry lemon garnish.

Click here to see the Finlandia Oaks Lily recipe.

Courtesy of Finlandia

Cidre Cimosa

If you're getting the party started early (perhaps a Derby brunch?), drinking a mimosa might make you feel better about boozing in the morning. Anyway - the Cidre Cimosa is a fun twist on the traditional mimosa. Instead of using prosecco or Champagne for bubbles, it gets a hard cider so you taste apple and orange.

Click here to see the Cidre Cimosa recipe.

Courtesy of Stella Artois Cidre

'New' Fashioned

If you're feeling like the old fashioned is yesterday's news, try the "New" Fashioned. This moderately sweet recipe features bourbon, citrus and elderflower (garnished with an orange slice and cherry, of course).

Click here to see the "New" Fashioned recipe.

Courtesy of Blade and Bow

Bourbon Ginger Cider

This boozy beverage is perfect for fall, but it's equally tasteful during high-stakes horse races. Build the Bourbon Ginger Cider with apple cider, bourbon, ginger liqueur and fresh ginger, then garnish with a cinnamon stick.

Click here to see the Bourbon Ginger Cider recipe.

invizbk / istockphoto.com

Pomegranate Whiskey Sour

This pretty pink drink looks refreshing - and it is. The fruity take on a whiskey sour is built with bourbon, citrus and pomegranate.

Click here to see the Pomegranate Whiskey Sour recipe.

iuliia_n / istockphoto.com

Honey Bourbon Hot Toddy

If you desire something warm and soothing, look no further than the Honey Bourbon Hot Toddy. This cozy drink features honey, citrus, whiskey and hot tea.

Click here to see the Honey Bourbon Hot Toddy recipe.

bhofack2 / istockphoto.com

Woodford Spire

This bourbon cocktail is made with refreshing lemonade and cranberry juice. It's also super easy to batch for Kentucky Derby watch parties.

Click here to see the Woodford Spire recipe.

Courtesy of Woodford Reserve

Bourbon Peach Cooler

Iced tea and peaches are about as Southern as it gets. This country drink blends those flavors with bourbon, peach schnapps, peach nectar, unsweetened iced tea and an optional dash of bitters. This recipe comes from David Danielson, executive chef of Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby.

Click here to see the Bourbon Peach Cooler recipe.

Courtesy of Woodford Reserve/Churchill Downs

Bourbon Colada

Wishing you were beachside watching horses run the track? This take on a tropical piña colada will put some hair on your chest. All you need is bourbon, pineapple juice, coconut cream or liqueur and heavy whipping cream.

Click here to see the Bourbon Colada recipe.

Jim Beam

Cherry Bourbon Smash

This soda-based beverage is kind of like an adult Shirley Temple (a Dirty Shirley), but with whiskey and different bubbles. The Cherry Bourbon Smash uses real muddled cherries instead of grenadine, plus a little lemon, bourbon (obviously) and Dr Pepper.

Click here to see the Cherry Bourbon Smash recipe.

Courtesy of Drizly

Finnish Mule

You likely already know how delicious a Moscow Mule is, and this take is extra zesty. Instead of using unflavored vodka, the Finnish Mule calls for grapefruit and a garnish of cucumber, lime and ginger stalks.

Click here to see the Finnish Mule recipe.

Roxiller / istockphoto.com

Crown of Roses

This drink is inspired by the garland of roses presented to the winner of the Kentucky Derby. It's made with Crown Royal (or any other whiskey of your choosing), amaretto, pineapple juice, cranberry juice and bitters.

Click here to see the Crown of Roses recipe.

Courtesy of The Fontaine

Blackberry- and Peach-Infused Bourbon

This one takes a bit of forward planning, but the juice is worth the squeeze. After soaking sliced peaches and blackberries in a jar of whiskey, you'll have delightfully fruity bourbon and some seriously spiked peaches and blackberries. Sounds like one of many summer cocktails you need to make this year.